The kinetics of the electroreduction of anodically formed cobalt oxide layers in different carbonate-bicarbonate aqueous solutions were investigated using combined voltammetric and potential step techniques. The composition of tbe electrolyte was varied to cover wide pH and ionic strength ranges. The electroreduction reaction can be explained through a nucleation and three-dimensional growth process, involving cobalt phase formation from either soluble Co(H) or Co(111) species.